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Full Pelt Magazine

Vol. 26

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The latest issue of the Full Pelt Magazine is here, and you can download your copy for free below!

Volume 26 features our cover stars Lake Malice as they prepare for their debut headline tour! We also review new albums from Yard Act, Bruce Dickinson, Kaiser Chiefs, Noah and the Loners and Liam Gallagher & John Squire!

Our News Report has all the latest music news including live announcements from Paul Weller, Electric Six, Blood Red Shoes, Black Water County, SOiL, Journey, Blackout Problems, Gen and the Degenerates, Latitude Festival, British Summer Time, Bearded Theory, Tramlines, Cro Cro Land and Attitude Festival!

Plus all the best new releases including Bob Vylan, Twenty One Pilots, Hell Is For Heroes, Oakman, Another Sky, Kid Kapichi, Unpeople, LostAlone, VENUES, One Step Closer, Accept, Chris Shiflett, Kelly Jones, Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties, Black Country Communion, halflives, The Zutons, Troy Redfern, Fangclub, James, The K’s, Ho99o9, PJ Harvey and CLT DRP!

Finally, we round up the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist including Hunter Oliveri, ANIIMALIA and Gamblers!

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Full Pelt Magazine

Vol. 19

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The latest issue of the Full Pelt Magazine is here, and you can download your copy for free below!

Volume 19 features cover stars Korn as they announce their biggest ever UK headline show! We also have album reviews for Hannah Wicklund and Casey.

Our News Report has all the latest music news including live announcements from Teenage Cancer Trust, Call of the Wild and PVRIS!

Plus all the best new releases including Bob Vylan, The Black Keys, Thomas Nicholas Band, Robert Jon & The Wreck, Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties, LØLØ, Gun, iDKHOW, Dayseeker, Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Gen and the Degenerates, Courting, Dead Poet Society, Florence Black, Marisa and the Moths, Issues, Exit Eden, Disturbed, K.Flay, New Model Army, Fit For A King and Being As An Ocean!

Finally, we round up the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist with Katie Pruitt, Cyan Kicks and Air Drawn Dagger!

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Features

2023 Full Pelt Awards

Have your say!

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The 2023 Full Pelt Awards are here and you can have your say from our shortlists below!

Votes here will be tallied with those on Social Media, plus weighted votes from our Full Pelt staff with the winners all revealed in a special Magazine on New Year’s Day!

2023 Full Pelt Awards
2023 Full Pelt Awards
2023 Full Pelt Awards
2023 Full Pelt Awards
2023 Full Pelt Awards
2023 Full Pelt Awards
2023 Full Pelt Awards

Our 2023 Album of the Year will be revealed on our Social Media on Christmas Day! Let us know your favourite album of the year in the comments and be sure to follow us across social media to be the first to see who wins our award!

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Full Pelt Magazine

Vol. 11

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The latest issue of the Full Pelt Magazine is here, and you can download your copy for free below!

Volume 11 features cover stars Massive Wagons as they kicked off their UK Tour this week. We also review live shows from Millie Manders and the Shutup, Bob Vylan and Lonely The Brave.

We have our News Report rounding up new releases from Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Neck Deep, Heriot, The Dollyrots, Guise, Defects, BIG SPECIAL, BLACKGOLD, Gen and the Degenerates and Greywind!

Plus new live announcements from Joanne Shaw Taylor, The Zutons, Tool, Lightning Seeds, The Nightmares, Dirty Honey and Peter Hook & The Light!

Finally, we round up the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist with Hunter Oliveri, The Cain Pit and Creature Cult!

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Full Pelt Magazine

Vol. 9

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Our weekly music News Report has evolved into the Full Pelt Magazine, and you can download the ninth issue now for free!

Volume nine includes an update from cover stars The Hunna and exclusive interview with The Pale White. Plus we review Fall Out Boy live in London and album reviews from The Cadillac Three, The Struts, WARGASM and Black Water County!

We have our News Report rounding up new releases from Green Day, Chelsea Wolfe, Beans On Toast, Dead Poet Society, Casey, Mother Mother, The Beatles, New Model Army, Pet Needs, Pendulum, Therapy?, Normandie, Bob Vylan, Amongst Liars, Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard and Kid Kapichi!

Plus new live announcements from 2000trees, Isle of Wight Festival, Takedown Festival, Radar Festival, Bearded Theory, Bruce Springsteen, Hayseed Dixie, Feeder, Delain, Saint Agnes, Chris Shiflett, Black Honey, The K’s, Lake Malice, Kaiser Chiefs, King Nun and Blossoms!

Finally, we round up the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist with Tropic Gold, Interlaker and Jock!

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News Report

Every week we roundup the best music news from the past week!

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News Report

Ash share new single ‘Like a God’

Ash – ‘Like a God’

Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!

We begin this week with the best new releases from the past week and it’s Ash that get us started.

The trio have recently revealed that they will release a new album, ‘Race the Night’ on September 15th. This week the group debuted their latest single, ‘Like a God’, which you can check out above.

Frontman Tim Wheeler comments: “Like A God pushes the rock aspect of the album to its furtherest limits. An ode to sexual apotheosis it revels in a carnal riff played with mantra like repetition before reaching a frenzied climax.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Like a God’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Skindred share ‘Unstoppable’

Skindred – ‘Unstoppable’

Skindred are also building towards the release of a new album with ‘Smile’ set to arrive on August 4th!

This week saw the group share their latest single, ‘Unstoppable’, which you can check out above.

As a band, we’ve survived the rise and fall of a million genres, trend and fads in this world,” says guitarist Mikey Demus. â€œPeople have tried and failed to put us in a box we refuse to live in. Skindred has a determination and a tenacity to stay true to ourselves, and true to our fans. Skindred will not be ignored. We are Unstoppable!”
 
“We keep going and we keep pushing forward,” says frontman Benji Webbe, a man who’s no stranger to being unstoppable, having survived sepsis and having his throat slashed. â€œIn life, it’s about hearing that our music has encouraged people and got them through dark times. But even when we’re done and gone, people will still be listening to this music. That thought makes me smile.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Unstoppable’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

Bob Vylan debut ‘Dream Big’

Bob Vylan – ‘Dream Big’

Following a slew of successful festival appearances, Bob Vylan have shared their brand new single, ‘Dream Big’, which you can check out above!

Commenting on the single, Vylan said “Written for my younger self and anybody that dreams of accomplishing or changing something. A reminder of where we have come from and what we are capable of.”

More here.

Listen to ‘Dream Big’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Bad Wolves share ‘Bad Friend’

Bad Wolves – ‘Bad Friend’

Bad Wolves have this week shared their new single, ‘Bad Friend’, which you can check out above!

“‘Bad Friend’ exemplifies exactly where Bad Wolves always wanted to be as a band,” relays vocalist Daniel “DL” Laskiewicz. “It lives dead center of being melodically catchy as well as crushingly heavy and is a great representation of our new upcoming album. This song reminds us that TRUE friendship is not about being perfect or always saying the right thing but being there for each other through the good times and the bad. It’s also to be willing to acknowledge one’s own mistakes and make things right. If you can’t do that, you might be a bad f*cking friend.”

More here.

Listen to ‘Bad Friend’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

The Dollyrots announce new album ‘Night Owls’

The Dollyrots – ‘Hey Girl’

Next in our News Report are The Dollyrots who have this week revealed that they will release a new album, ‘Night Owls’, on October 13th.

You can check out previous single ‘Hey Girl’ above.

“You know how they say a band’s first album is usually their best? Well, I think because we had time for this one, you know, since the world stopped due to Covid, it’s a lot like a first album. We had so many bits and pieces and once we could finally get into the studio it all just flew out of us, like we had been holding something vital & urgent in for years. Because we had. If you love The Dollyrots you’ll love “Night Owls”. If you don’t know The Dollyots, you’ll probably love it too,” says singer / bassist Kelly Ogden.

Pre-order your copy here.

Read our review of 2000trees

The K’s debut ‘Landmines’

The K’s

Rising indie rockers The K’s recently unveiled their latest single, ‘Landmines’, which you can check out above.

Frontman Jamie Boyle explains: 

“Landmines is a memoir of myself growing up. It’s a story that is familiar to me, the band and thousands of other people across the UK who experienced the transition into adolescence living in a working-class town. The song sends many of us back to our late-teen days where the only recipe for a good night with friends was cheap alcohol and some sort of shelter, whether that be a tunnel or a skate park. Landmines brings back fond memories of the first real time we were free to explore the world by ourselves as, what we then thought were, ‘adults’ and the events that ensued”.

More here.

Listen to ‘Landmines’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Willie J Healey shares new single ‘Woke Up Smiling’

Willie J Healey – ‘Woke Up Smiling’

Next up in our News Report this week is Willie J Healey who has shared his latest single, ‘Woke Up Smiling’, which you can check out above!

The track comes from upcoming new album, ‘Bunny’, which will arrive on August 25th.

On the track, Healey says “I wrote this during a glorious period of my life. I was living in a studio flat in Bristol, it had these huge sash windows which let huge amounts of morning sun in. I’d make coffee and sit with my guitar & cat, I’m pretty sure my cat helped me write that song.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Woke Up Smiling’ on our Spotify Hot List!

King Nun debut ‘Golden Age’

King Nun – ‘Golden Age’

King Nun have this week debuted new single, ‘Golden Age’, which you can check out above!

The single will feature on upcoming new album, ‘Lamb’, which is due for release on September 29th.

Speaking in the new single, vocalist Theo Polyzoides comments: ‘Golden Age is about feeling damned by the normalcy of life around you” contemplates the front man. “it’s about trying to have fun and break away from the mundane too. There is so much about modern life that feels unnatural, or that things could have happened differently, so the humour lightens things up a bit in an anti-defeatist way.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Golden Age’ on our Spotify Hot List!

The Menzingers share ‘There’s No Place In This World For Me’

The Menzingers – ‘There’s No Place In This World For Me’

Finally in this section of our News Report this week comes, ‘There’s No Place In This World For Me’, from The Menzingers, which you can of course check out above!

The band commented, “This song is an anthem for anyone stuck between where they are and where they want to be.”

More here.

Listen to ‘There’s No Place In This World For Me’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Watch Episode 10 of our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast with guests MOSKITO

‘Discover’ New Music Podcast – Episode 10 – MOSKITO

Listen to ‘Killing Joke’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

News Report

Far From Saints announce UK Tour

We move our News Report on now to the best tour announcements from the past week and we begin with the debut headline tour from Far From Saints.

The Kelly Jones featuring group will hit the road for a full run of dates this Autumn!

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Stereophonics live in Cambridge

DMA’S announce new UK Tour dates

DMA’S have this week announced that they will return to the UK this December for a run of new tour dates.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Neck of the Woods Festival

Gengahr set up new live dates

Already in the midst of their summer live schedule, Gengahr have this week announced further tour dates for September and October.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘The Ballad of Darren’ from Blur

Haggard Cat unveil new live dates

Finally in this section of our News Report we have the latest live dates from Haggard Cat.

The band will be on the road later this year with a mix of headline shows and support dates with Mutoid Man and Atomic Bitchwax.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of the debut album from James and the Cold Gun

News Report

As always we conclude our News Report with the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist!

News Report
North Atlas – ‘Superego’

Scottish fellowship North Atlas have shared their brand new single, ‘Superego’!

“According to Freud, the Superego acts as our moral compass, what he calls the Id describes the drives for primal behaviour, while the regular Ego works to strike a balance between those two needs. The Superego strives for a sort of moral perfection, so I suppose that means there’s usually a cost for what you want. This song is about not paying for what you want by sacrificing your own values.”

Leon Hunter – Vocals

Bellwether – ‘fallingshort’

Sydney based Pop Punk band Bellwether have shared their new single, ‘fallingshort’.

“fallingshort’ is a pensive, emotionally driven pop punk track that is musically inspired by the works of electronic artist Porter Robinson, with further inspiration taken from 2000’s era emo pop punk. The song is a reflection on the decisions we wish we would have made in the past and the opportunities we feel have passed us by, while maintaining a determined outlook towards the future” – Guitarist Heath Joukhadar

News Report
News Report
Lucky Hit – ‘Shoebox Memories’

UK based pop punk band Lucky Hit have shared a brand new single, ‘Shoebox Memories’

“Shoebox Memories focuses on the perspective of someone looking back at a time shared between two people. It recalls some of the experiences they shared and questions if the importance of those experiences were indeed shared. We all have those things that we hold on to which to anyone else means little to nothing. Not to you though, for you they hold a core memory. They take you back to the past. These can be anything from a ticket stub to a mixtape of songs from a time in your life. They hold memories you wouldn’t trade for anything.” – Vocalist Lawrence Murphy.

Listen, Follow and Discover your new favourite act now with our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist

Then find out the stories behind the songs on our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast!

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Read our review of ‘Colour’ from Jim Lockey and the Solemn Sun

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Live Reviews

2000trees

Upcote Farm, Cheltenham

5th to 8th July 2023

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2000trees festival review

Festival season is in full swing and rock fans once again descend on Upcote Farm in Cheltenham for 2000trees! A true music fans festival, this year there is an absolute smorgasbord of the best new and established acts to savour across three full days of relentless entertainment.

However, before the event proper begins though those with early entry have an additional evening of music on tap in the beautiful forest area. The ‘Forest Stage’ has always been a unique and special feature of this festival which is now on its fifteenth iteration.

Wednesday

The privilege of opening the festivities this year goes to Snayx who, despite playing whilst many are still pitching their tents, still attract an eager and excited crowd. The band are able to seize upon this excitement to whip the crowd up even further with their brand of punk rock. A benchmark is set for the weekend early here and thankfully the organisers have a bill curated to ensure that the quality never drops!

The other stage in operation today is the small ‘The Word’ stage which over the weekend will host various activities such as further bands, live podcasts, comedians and more. Over the next few hours we are able to catch delighted spots from B-Sydes, Masca, Polyanna and Gaz Brookfield.

Over on the ‘Forest Stage’ though, the handful of selected bands combine to deliver a highly memorable evening. Delaire the Liar are up next and are able to continue to build their growing reputation with another assured performance.

A real special moment follows as one of the most talented yet underappreciated bands of the last decade Press To MECO play their final show. Such a moment really deserved a bigger stage and longer setlist but those present are able to bathe in those glorious riffs one more time with an emotional ‘A Test of Our Resolve’ a highlight of the whole festival.

Next are a band just getting started. Saint Agnes are tipped as the future of rock music by some, and again on the evidence of their set tonight those people are very much correct! Debut album ‘Bloodsuckers’ can’t arrive soon enough; thankfully we only need to wait on July 21st!

The latest Tigercub album is already out and next up the band bring ‘The Perfume of Decay’ to life with a solid showing as the forest area begins to fill up in anticipation of the nights two headline acts.

Both Holding Absence and Bob Vylan will play two sets over the weekend but before gracing the main stage, they both thrill those packed into the woods! Holding Absence are first and they captivate the crowd with a cleverly selected mix of rarities and fan favourites. This band continues to grow and evolve and it’s scary how good they could be.

Bob Vylan also continue to elevate the game with their headline set tonight they bring carnage to the forest! A spectacular off the cuff collection of on point punk rock more than whets the appetite for their main stage appearance, even showing that they aren’t too far away from being able to headline the biggest stage next time they play the festival.

THURSDAY

Each night the now infamous silent disco takes over the site as the party continues into the early hours, but come Thursday morning the arrival of the rest of the attendees ensure even the first act of the day, Blush Puppy on the ‘Forest Stage’ get a good turnout. The duo perform a delightful run-through of adapted favourites which starts the first full day off perfectly.

With the outdoor stage, three tented stages and the ‘Forest Stage’ all rotating throughout each day an avid music fan can fill their boots with live music and literally catch non-stop music for nigh on sixteen hours a day if they wanted to. We don’t quite have that stamina but we give it a good go and are rewarded by great sets from Kite Thief, Beach Riot and Gaffa Tape Sandy.

Following that run we then head to first catch recent ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast guests CARSICK over on the ‘NEU Stage’. The group proceed to smash through their set to the delight of those present with the likes of ‘Anaconda Frank’ showing real bite.

Another act to impress early in the weekend are Lake Malice in ‘The Cave’. The group have been winning over all who see them this summer and their future appears to be very bright indeed.

Lambrini Girls, Graphic Nature and the official debut of new group Unpeople who have formed from the ashes of Press To MECO all follow and continue to hot run of great sets. Unpeople in particular are able to really tease what is to come and make a fantastic first impression.

The main stage soon literally takes centre stage as first Kid Kapichi and then Bob Vylan deliver two of the sets of the weekend. Kid Kapichi are effortless in their delivery of impassioned punk rock which sees an endless sea of crowd surfers on an inflatable burger! Bob Vylan then reinforce the message that their headline set sent last night, that the duo are as advertised – the most important band in the world!

We then head back to the two larger tented stages, firstly for Jim Lockey and the Solemn Sun who preview their upcoming new album ‘Colour’. The record will arrive on July 28th and the band really do a good job of convincing those in attendance that despite the decade plus wait for a new album, the wait will be worth it. All the new material this evening sounds absolutely massive. Then in ‘The Axiom’, The Joy Formidable deliver a delightful little set that evidences the eclectic mix of rock music presented at 2000trees.

Soon enough it’s time for the final run of bands that will close out day one. Skindred are well established as a great live act and tonight they have the crowd at their whim. The Newport Helicopter needs no introduction either as the crowd make the most of the groups big finale.

Back in the big tent next for Eagles of Death Metal who give a festival friendly, crowd pleasing set including the likes of ‘I Only Want You’, ‘Complexity’, ‘Cherry Cola’ and ‘I Want You So Hard (Boy’s Bad News)’.

Finally it’s over to the returning Soft Play (the artists formerly known as Slaves) to close out the day. The duo pick up where they left off and play as if they’ve never been away. It’s great to have the band back and fans revel in the likes of ‘Cheer Up London’, ‘Feed the Mantaray’ and ‘The Hunter’.

FRIDAY

Friday begins with an early run of Beauty School, RXPTRS, The St. Pierre Snake Invasion, BLACKGOLD and New Pagans all of whom play their rules well and make the most of their short sets.

After an overcast first couple of days, today is a scorcher and the heat is intense as LostAlone arrive on the stage. The band don’t let that phase them though as they pull out all the stops to get the crowd engaged. It’s mission accomplished by the time they deliver the double header of ‘The Final Call For Forever’ and ‘The Last Drop Of Forever’.

2000trees do very well to bring together the best new music from home and abroad and the next run of Militarie Gun, Zulu, Microwave and Kublai Khan TX shows the keen eye for upcoming talent that the organisers have.

It’s this mix of new with the established acts that perfectly balances out the line-up and Hell Is For Heroes are a great nostalgic party next on the main stage. The quality overall is again on show when you can then head immediately to the ‘NEU Stage’ for an excellently run set from As Everything Unfolds, before returning to the main stage for a very enjoyable Dinosaur Pile-Up show and then jumping straight to the always intense Cancer Bats in ‘The Cave’!

Bullet For My Valentine are the act who close out the night with a huge headline performance. Attracting one of, if not the biggest crowd of the weekend, the band are in confident mood as they showcase their headlining credentials. Older tracks such as ‘Scream Aim Fire’ and ‘Hearts Burst Into Flames’ naturally receive big reactions, but it’s telling newer tracks also are well received.

A surprise AxeWound reunion with Liam Cormier is another festival highlight before ‘Tears Don’t Fall’ and ‘Waking the Demon’ ensure that come the next morning everyone is talking about how great Bullet were tonight!

The festival has been a whirlwind as per usual for 2000trees and it’s a testament to the quality of line-up that to this point there hasn’t been a bad performance. Of course some ultimately standout more than others such as that headline set last night or Bob Vylan destroying the forest but the chilled out atmosphere amongst attendees is reflected by the respect the bands pay the crowd. The reciprocal ambience creates a synergy that elevates every aspect of this event.

SATURDAY

Come Saturday the crowd may be sapped from the previous days heat but over on the ‘Forest Stage’ Xtra Mile Recordings acts (and previous ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast guests) Hannah Rose Platt and Guise are serenading the early crowd with their beautiful music. They are both well received despite the heat being supplemented today by a lot of the wet stuff!

Xtra Mile Recordings has a great relationship and past with 2000trees and new Xtra Mile favourites (and double Full Pelt Podcast guests!) PET NEEDS attract a big crowd to ‘The Axiom’ next. This is no doubt due to some guerrilla advertising from their fans, but everyone that ventures into the tent leave hailing the band as one of the bands of the weekend.

One of the elements that makes the ‘Forest Stage’ so special are the sets from acts playing on the biggest stages which are often acoustic and unique. Next, Electric Six frontman Dick Valentine does a great job of distracting the audience from the deteriorating weather with a highly fun acoustic set.

After catching Dead Poet Society and Enola Gay strutting their stuff we are then able to catch Electric Six themselves who attract another big crowd to the main stage. The crowd lap up the likes of ‘Gay Bar’ and ‘Danger! High Voltage’ as you’d expect, and the band do their job with aplomb.

One Step Closer then cement their hype in ‘The Cave’ before Black Honey demonstrate why they are one of the best newer live acts in the country. Tracks from new album, ‘A Fistful of Peaches’ sound massive as the band achieve another of those more memorable sets of the weekend.

The reshuffled Dream State then show that they still have a big future ahead of them in ‘The Cave’ before Deaf Havana battle through a torrential downpour which decimates their crowd at the main stage. We brave the rain until the end before heading into the forest for a short but very fun set from Lynks.

Talking to people across the site, the opinion is unanimous that this has been a spectacular weekend. You feel as the weekend comes to a close that it can’t get any better, but then Hundred Reasons deliver perhaps the best set of the weekend. The band get the audience onboard from opening number ‘I’ll Find You’ and never lose them despite more heavy rain. One of the moments of the weekend comes when Enter Shikari man Rou Reynolds joins the band for a superb ‘Silver’.

Jamie Lenman then plays his latest masterpiece ‘The Atheist’ in full over in the forest before Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes come out of hibernation to finish the festival with a welcome career-spanning set.

Whilst the band may lack a certain volatility of their early days they don’t lack in swagger or controlled ferocity when required. The final run of ‘My Town’, ‘Devil Inside Me’, ‘Juggernaut’, ‘Lullaby’ and ‘I Hate You’ is the perfect way to bring an incredible weekend of music to a close.

2000trees has established itself at the heart of the summer as a trusted and respected event. From their humble beginnings to now fifteen events later, the festival lays on the infrastructure but the audience makes the event the special weekend that it is!

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Read our review of Download Festival 2023

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Live Reviews

Download Festival

Donington Park, Castle Donington

Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th June 2023

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DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL 2023 REVIEW

This weekend is a celebration of twenty years of Download Festival. Stepping into the void left by Monsters of Rock not just at the hyped spiritual home of rock Donington Park but to the whole UK rock/metal scene, Download has become its own monster.

This year is truly monstrous as the event is fully sold out with record breaking numbers of attendees coming to partake in the celebration. Those celebrations get off to a rough start though with unprecedented traffic problems souring the event for many before it even properly begins.

📾 Live Nation UK PR

Once the music starts though a lot if not all of those problems subside. There is a stacked bill for the anniversary party including two nights of Metallica, a closing set from Download icons Slipknot but most vitally a new headline act Bring Me The Horizon.

The gap between Monsters of Rock and Download caused a vacuum in ability for bands to hit headline status with many acts from that era missing out on that status, Korn being one such act often thought of as passed over. Think about it, if they’d headlined at Donington Park in the late nineties, they’d no doubt still be that rank higher than they are now.

In the early years of Download, a number of bands had an opportunity to cement themselves at the top level, think Audioslave, Linkin Park, System of a Down and My Chemical Romance.

Playing alongside stalwarts like Iron Maiden, Metallica, Black Sabbath and Kiss gives bands credibility and elevates their stock. 2009’s Slipknot set is still heralded as the best example of the ‘bump’!

The problem is since then only Avenged Sevenfold in 2014 have really been given that opportunity and Download has become a bit of a clichéd round robin of the likes of Def Leppard, Rammstein, Aerosmith and other favourites already mentioned.

Perhaps then the most important booking in a celebration of the past is the look to the future with Bring Me The Horizon finally getting the top spot. Whilst Download probably should’ve got in before Reading and Leeds, it’s hopefully a sign of a subtle change of tact from the festival.

That’s because the line-up is also graced this year by the likes of Hot Milk, Nova Twins and Bob Vylan in prominent slots. Mixing this with the likes of classic Download bands Disturbed, Alter Bridge, Halestorm and Skindred gives the line-up a fresh but familiar feel.

Sadly beyond the bookings of Metallica and Slipknot plus the additional day there isn’t much done to make this year feel special for those who have made Download Festival part of their lives.

Whilst the organisers could have done more both in terms of that something special and in certain ways just the very basics, they have provided a top tier line-up, so let’s take a look at the highlights!

THURSDAY

Cancer Bats get the ball rolling on day one for us over at the second stage (now dubbed the Opus stage). The band get those that have made it into the arena pumped up with a early set packed full of ragers that ultimately ends prematurely when the sound is cut during ‘Hail Destroyer’!

Soon thereafter, Mammoth WVH get proceedings underway on the main stage (or Apex as it’s now called!). In some ways it’s fitting having the Van Halen name on this stage, in others it’s very ironic as the legendary band are often referred to by lead booker Andy Copping as one that got away.

Wolfgang and co show that with or without the last name, they have the talent needed to conquer stages like these. From start to finish it’s an excellent showing that places the band on the potential list for future festival stars.

Next up on the Opus stage are Hundred Reasons who are riding the wave of their stunning return album, ‘Glorious Sunset’. The band open with the title-track before running through a series of classic tracks much to the delight of those gathered. Hopefully this isn’t a victory lap for the band as creatively and onstage they are as good as they’ve ever been!

As we focus on the future of the festival, two names often linked to future headline status are Halestorm and Alter Bridge. It’s fine booking then to see the bands back to back next on the Apex stage.

Halestorm deliver another flawless set that seems to finish before it begins given their short allocated slot. That’s not necessarily a bad thing though given the old saying of leave the fans wanting more. Halestorm certainly do that and with a headline date pencilled in at Wembley Arena this December, the next time the band grace Donington you’d hope to see them in the sub-headline spot.

That’s the spot filled by Alter Bridge who have played in this position multiple times before; a sense perhaps then of always the bridesmaid and never the bride! Today though the band give it their all to show what they have to offer.

Watching the crowd, the set seems to be really well received which is a good sign. The band after all are always technically superb, so if enhancing that audience connection is the missing piece to progression then today’s set will have gone a long way to creating that link!

All that’s left on this special Thursday then is the first of two headline performances from the biggest metal band on the planet, Metallica. The two sets will be completely unique, giving fans the chance to see far more than a standard Metallica set list.

Night one has a good mix of hits like ‘Creeping Death’, ‘Fade To Black’, ‘Nothing Else Matters’, ‘Sad but True’ and ‘Master of Puppets’, deep cuts such as ‘Leper Messiah’, ‘King Nothing’ and ‘Orion’ plus new material from ’72 Seasons’.

FRIDAY

Friday is a huge day for the future of heavy music with a number of hotly tipped bands performing on the main stage including headliners Bring Me The Horizon.

We start on the Opus stage though with a debut UK festival appearance from Mexicans The Warning. The sister trio deliver an assured performance which belies their position on the bill. The set is another case of leaving the audience wanting more and you have to imagine that they’ll be back very soon.

Nova Twins take to the Apex stage soon after and absolutely own the stage. The duo are able to show just why they have so much hype with a performance that should be talked about as one of the best of the weekend.

Hot Milk have the unenviable task of following the pure energy that was Nova Twins, and thankfully for the band and the crowd they are up to the task. With a debut album on the way the band are on the cusp of something special and this set will again not doubt be one of those “I was there” moments.

The effortless cool of Demob Happy delights the Avalanche stage next as they showcase their stunning new album, ‘Divine Machines’.

Back on the Apex stage with the run of younger bands, next up for us are Neck Deep who are perennial contenders for bigger things. Today they have tens of thousands of people singing back the likes of ‘December’ and you have to consider Neck Deep’s set another victory for the new breed of Download band.

It’s a short and sharp blast from the past next as we pop to the Avalanche stage for the return of The Blackout. The band perform like they’ve not been away and receive a hero’s return from the audience. With the tease of more live dates to follow, it looks like The Blackout are back and back with a bang today!

It’s a quick bolt over to the Opus stage next for Within Temptation who are clearly playing a slot below their stature. The performance the band give is headline worthy not just of this stage but of the main stage. The band has a wealth of experience and use all their tricks to deliver a masterful set full of their best crowd pleasing hits.

By the time Evanescence grace the stage, the mass of humanity in attendance is a clear indication that the band should have been on the main stage. Viewing points are few and far between but wherever you are stood the band sonically deliver. A mixture of old and new is greeted well regardless but it’s mega hit ‘Bring Me to Life’ that has the entire place singing their hearts out.

It’s then time for that set. Bring Me The Horizon take over the main stage and prove any remaining doubters wrong. Making Metallica appear average, the band give their all both aesthetically and musically and produce possibly the greatest headline performance in the twenty years of the festival.

As we said earlier, the band should have been given this slot years ago, but if they had then this moment wouldn’t have existed. Their show tonight is the proof needed that the next wave are ready now and the gatekeepers need to move aside.

This set is historic not just for the theme of the weekend or for the stature of Bring Me The Horizon, it’s historic as a watershed moment for this festival. New headliners of the future should personally thank Bring Me The Horizon for breaking through that proverbial ceiling!

SATURDAY

On to Saturday now and nobody mention the weather! A celebration of twenty years of Download would have fittingly seem some rain and mud, and from this point on the festival is so hot that many would probably have willing traded the sun for some rain.

After last night it almost feels an anti-climax for the festival to continue, but another Metallica set should never be scoffed at. Thankfully there are still some fresh new bands breaking through lower down the bill today, and first up we catch Static Dress who seemingly channel the energy of Bring Me The Horizon with the fantastic opening Opus stage set.

One of the best bits of a festival for a publication passionate about new music is stumbling across a surprise gem on one of the side stages. This year that is ANTISAINT who simply storm the small Dogtooth stage with a ferocious set and definitely leave with more fans than they had going in.

The new look FEVER 333 then take to the main stage and deliver another memorable moment with Jason Aalon Butler scaling one of the massive towers erected in the main arena. That moment though shouldn’t take away from the already phenomenal set the band had delivered.

Lake Malice are next for us back in the Avalanche stage who are able to continue the run of top tier performances we’ve caught thus far. Whilst some of the organisational elements of the festival have been lacking, the music has been of the highest calibre and Lake Malice are another band you suspect will be back in a bigger spot sooner rather than later.

Next on the Apex stage are Ice Nine Kills, whose theatrics create a spectacle on the main stage, but musically they feel a little flat, perhaps being the first underwhelming set of the weekend.

Clutch who follow then also suffer both through technical difficulties and the energy sapping heat which probably negatively impacted Ice Nine Kills as well. The lack of enthusiasm from the crowd doesn’t help and it’s probably a good thing we are headed to a tent next.

We are set now for another one-two punch, this time in the Avalanche tent with Kid Kapichi and Bob Vylan on tap. It’s Kid Kapichi up first and they instantly raise the intensity levels with opener ‘Sardines’. Each song that follows is just as rewarding and by the time the band finish with ‘Smash the Gaff’ they’ve done just that!

One of the most exiting acts on the bill this weekend are Bob Vylan. The mention of ceilings earlier is relevant because this duo haven’t just smashed ceilings they’ve proceeded to stamp the shards into dust. Their performance to a packed crowd today is further evidence that new acts can make Download their home. That’s exactly what Bob Vylan do here as to repeat another clichĂ© they completely own the stage.

It was always going to be hard to follow that suckerpunch and next on the main stage with the intense heat still sapping all energy, Disturbed deliver a plodding set. The set list is fine, the performance is far from phoned-in but with the audience struggling and the band following the ferocity of Bob Vylan, Disturbed feel distinctly average today.

We then head to the Opus stage expecting Placebo to also struggle to engage the tired and weary crowd. After all this is the third day which would traditionally be the home straight, and Placebo are not known for their crowd pleasing set list choices.

Pleasantly though those making the effort are surprisingly rewarded not just with an energised performance from the band but also a excellent set of songs including a very rare outing for the superb ‘Nancy Boy’. On their day Placebo can be an incredible live act and today they are at the peak of their powers which re-energises the previously zombified crowd.

It’s then time for night two of Metallica’s no repeat weekend. There are some great choice cuts in the set tonight such as a tour debut for ‘Whiplash’ plus ‘Until It Sleeps’, ‘Wherever I May Roam’ and Thin Lizzy cover ‘Whiskey in the Jar’! The finale of ‘One’ and ‘Enter Sandman’ ensures that the hits are accounted for as well as Metallica deliver another slick and graceful set.

SUNDAY

The final day feels like a step too far, most definitely compounded by the unrelenting heat, but once again when lost in the music all those issues somehow disappear – the power of music!

Bloodywood start the day off with an engaging performance on the Apex stage, before our recent Podcast guests Blind Channel deliver on their promise to bring the energy to Download. The sight of many metalheads singing along to a rendition of Anastacia’s ‘Left Outside Alone’ is a real sight to behold and set closer ‘Dark Side’ has everybody with their middle finger in the air.

Lorna Shore then suffer again from a lack of enthusiasm from the crowd and their sound getting swallowed up by the enormous space. Joey Valence & Brae though have neither issue in the Avalanche tent with a rambunctious and fun-filled slot.

As the heat and the excesses of the weekend catch up on the crowd it’s telling that for this afternoon outdoor sets like The Amity Affliction and Avatar whilst technically great feel like a struggle. Whereas tented sets from Joey Valence and Brae and the brilliant The Meffs are able to revive the crowd and thrive on their rejuvenation.

Thankfully things start to cool as clouds begin to take over the sky as we get ready for Dinosaur Pile-Up on the Opus stage. Sadly technical difficulties shorten their set to just five songs, but those five songs sound fantastic!

I Prevail have a huge slot on the main stage and make a good impression although you do again feel something is just lacking today. Not to flog a dead horse any further but it may be the low energy levels today or the enormity of the stage swallowing the heavier sound but it’s hard to truly get into their set today.

Thankfully the smaller outdoor Opus stage seems to have a lot of energy and Bad Religion are able to take advantage of that next with a typically slick run of punk rock anthems. Opening with ‘American Jesus’ the band able to hold your attention throughout before finishing with a rousing rendition of ’21st Century (Digital Boy)’.

Next up on this stage are Ghost who really should be headlining the main stage at this point. Musically and theatrically they are on another level and you have a sense of the Bring Me The Horizons about then. Hopefully Download Festival will strike while the iron is hot because everything about their performance today is perfect.

Ghost are so good that you also feel it unnecessary to watch Slipknot, but as soon as the band hit the stage you are glad that you stayed. The history between the band and festival is huge and it’s great that they are one of the few acts that seem to properly acknowledge that this weekend.

A standard (which is great) Slipknot set follows with some sentimental set choices and an enthralling stage show. It’s really fitting for Slipknot to close out what has been an intense weekend of celebration.

Download Festival
📾 Live Nation UK PR

The busiest and longest ever Download Festival will last long in the memory for reasons both good and bad. As we said at the start, this festival is a true monster now and has enough dedicated customers to ensure that it will never go down as its predecessor did. It has however become rather soulless and corporate and it feels like the identity it created over the first decade or so could be lost.

Hopefully the event will use this success to both maintain its heritage but also to now really push for the future headliners and top acts to come through. So, congratulations Download on twenty phenomenal years, and here’s to many many more to come!

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News Report

Halestorm set for Wembley Arena

Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!

This week we are starting by rounding up the best live announcements from the past week and we begin with Halestorm.

Ahead of their performance at Download Festival the band have already revealed that they will return to the UK for a special one-off show at Wembley Arena.

Support will come from Black Veil Brides.

Grab your tickets here.

Read our review of ‘Back From The Dead’ from Halestorm

Sleep Token also set to take over Wembley Arena

News Report

Another band taking over the world famous Wembley Arena in December will be Sleep Token.

The groups meteoric rise continues and tickets to the event sold out very quickly this week.

More here.

Read our review of ‘Take Me Back to Eden’ from Sleep Token

Bowling For Soup announce new UK Tour

Following appearances at Slam Dunk Festival, Bowling For Soup and Less Than Jake have announced a new UK Tour set for next February.

Support will comes from Vandoliers.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘Pop Drunk Snot Bread’ from Bowling For Soup

Kids In Glass Houses are back with new tour dates!

Another band making waves at Slam Dunk Festival were the reuniting Kids In Glass Houses.

The band have now announced a UK Tour celebrating the 15th Anniversary of ‘Smart Casual’.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Slam Dunk Festival

Bob Vylan reveal UK Tour

Continuing the tour announcements in our News Report is Bob Vylan. The duo will be heading out for a UK Tour in November.

Special guests for the shows will be Kid Bookie and Panic Shack.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Bob Vylan live in London

Static Dress unveil UK Tour

Also fresh from conquering Slam Dunk Festival are Static Dress and they’ll also be hitting the road this November for a UK Tour.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘Toxic Positivity’ from The Used

Massive Wagons announce new tour dates

Massive Wagons are next up in our News Report as they extend their ‘Triggered’ tour.

Part 2 of their UK Tour will take place in November.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of The Pearl Harts live in Norwich

The Murder Capital unveil new live dates

The Murder Capital have also revealed new UK live dates for this November as part of ‘The Clown’s Reflection’ tour.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘Gigi’s Recovery’ from The Murder Capital

Skinny Lister announce new UK Tour

It was a big week this week for Skinny Lister who had both new music and new tour dates to share.

Alongside a full UK tour later this year, the band debuted new single, ‘Down On The Barrier’, which you can check out below!

Skinny Lister – ‘Down On The Barrier’

Speaking about the message behind their euphoric, enlightening new track frontman Dan Heptinstall says: 

“Music is a kind of religion to many gig-goers, and in “Down On The Barrier” we’ve tried to capture that feeling. The church in this case is the venue, the sermon is the song and the preacher the artist. It’s a nod to those almost spiritual moments when we gather to enjoy some communal rock’n’roll worship, as well as a healthy dose of support, release and camaraderie. See you down on the barrier!”

Tickets are here.

Watch Episode 6 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guests Skinny Lister

The Full Pelt Music Podcast – Episode 6 – Skinny Lister

Read our review of Skinny Lister live in Norwich

Lottery Winners set new UK Tour

Another hot ticket later this year will be the ‘This Is How It Feels’ tour from Lottery Winners.

Announcing the tour the band said “We’re going to be throwing everything at this, with special guests and special production and doing our best to make it a special experience. So, please come. Bring a friend. Let’s spread the word and get these venues bouncing. We love you all so much! X”

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘Anxiety Replacement Therapy’ from Lottery Winners

Pet Needs will be back out on the road

The final tour announcement in our News Report this week comes from Pet Needs!

The band will be continuing their never ending tour later this year with support from Glitchers.

Tickets are here.

Watch Episode 11 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guests Pet Needs

The Full Pelt Music Podcast – Episode 11 – Pet Needs

Read our review of Pet Needs live in Norwich

News Report

Foo Fighters share ‘The Teacher’

Foo Fighters – ‘The Teacher’

We move our News Report on now to the best new releases from the past week and start proceedings with Foo Fighters.

The band released new album, ‘But Here We Are’, this week but prior to that they shared new single, ‘The Teacher’, which you can check out above.

More here.

Read our review of ‘But Here We Are’ from Foo Fighters

Queens of the Stone Age share ‘Carnavoyeur’

Queens of the Stone Age – ‘Carnavoyuer’

Queens of the Stone Age also had new music on offer this week. The band shared their latest single, ‘Carnavoyuer’, which you can check out above!

The track comes ahead of brand new album, ‘In Times New Roman’, which is out on June 16th.

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Carnavoyuer’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Bring Me The Horizon debut ‘AmEN!’

Bring Me The Horizon – ‘AmEN!’ feat. Lil Uzi Vert, Daryl Palumbo, Glassjaw

Bring Me The Horizon continue to drop new music sporadically and this week saw the band share ‘AmEN!’.

You can check out the track featuring Lil Uzi Vert and Daryl Palumbo of Glassjaw above.

More here.

Listen to ‘AmEN!’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

Pendulum x Bullet For My Valentine debut ‘Halo’

Pendulum & Bullet For My Valentine – ‘Halo’

Pendulum this week shared their new collaboration with Matt Tuck of Bullet For My Valentine.

You can check out ‘Halo’ above!

More here.

Yellowcard share ‘Childhood Eyes’

Yellowcard – ‘Childhood Eyes’

After their appearance at Slam Dunk Festival, Yellowcard have revealed details of a new EP, ‘Childhood Eyes’ which will be released on July 7th.

Ahead of the release the band have shared the title-track, which you can check out above!

About the new single, William Ryan Key said: “I woke up in the middle of the night with the chorus ringing in my head. I grabbed my phone off of the night stand and started typing away, squinting in the dark. This was months before we even started demoing the EP. When we started writing I threw the idea in the hat at the last minute, picked up a guitar to try and put music to the melody in my head for the first time, and Childhood Eyes was born. This is a song about being defeating, let down, and deceived time and again, but still managing to find your creative soul and carry on. I think it captures the spirit of Yellowcard, both old and new.”

Pre-save here.

Listen to ‘Childhood Eyes’ on our Spotify Hot List!

FEVER 333 debut ‘$wing’

FEVER 333 – ‘$wing’

FEVER 333 returned this week with a new look line-up and brand new single, ‘$wing’, which you can check out above!

More here.

Listen to ‘$wing’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

Trophy Eyes share ‘Life In Slow Motion’

Trophy Eyes – ‘Life In Slow Motion’

Another band with new music following their appearances at Slam Dunk Festival was Trophy Eyes.

The band shared their new single, ‘Life In Slow Motion’, which you can check out above!

“‘Life in Slow Motion’ is my assessment of life itself, and the way we as humans navigate life and time here on Earth.” says John Floreani. “Searching for meaning in chaos, I found myself seeing signs in number patterns and small examples of beauty in ordinary life; a hug at the bar exchanged between friends, a crinkled photo of a loved one kept close, a kindness or a smile. What they mean, I can’t say, but sometimes if you look hard enough and sit quietly enough, life reaches out and speaks to you.”

The release comes ahead of new album, ‘Suicide and Sunshine’, which is out on June 23rd.

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Life In Slow Motion’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

The Mysterines share ‘Begin Again’

The Mysterines – ‘Begin Again’

Currently touring stadiums with Arctic Monkeys, this week also saw The Mysterines share their latest new track, ‘Begin Again’, which you can check out above.

More here.

Listen to ‘Begin Again’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Grian Chatten shares ‘Last Time Every Time Forever’

Grian Chatten – ‘Last Time Every Time Forever’

Grian Chatten had more new music to share this week as he debuted new single, ‘Last Time Every Time Forever’, which you can check out above!

Chatten says: “’Last Time Every Time Forever’ is a weak knee’d 99th lap around a hellscape town of your own making. It’s haunted by seagulls and hoarse-throated slot machines from the 1980s and it breaks its own promise on every listen.”

The track comes from upcoming debut solo album, ‘Chaos For The Fly’, which is out June 30th.

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Last Time Every Time Forever’ on our Spotify Hot List!

Empire State Bastard debut ‘Stutter’

Empire State Bastard – ‘Stutter’

Another track from Empire State Bastard emerged this week as the band shared ‘Stutter’, which you can check out above!

The band have also shared news that their debut album, ‘Rivers of Heresy’, will be out on September 1st.

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Stutter’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

Lacuna Coil debut ‘Never Dawn’

Lacuna Coil – ‘Never Dawn’

Our News Report continues with Lacuna Coil, who shared new single ‘Never Dawn’ this week, and you can of course check it out above.

More here.

Listen to ‘Never Dawn’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

As December Falls debut ‘Little By Little’

As December Falls – ‘Little By Little’

It really is a packed News Report this week, and next up are As December Falls.

The band this week shared their new single, ‘Little By Little’, which you can check out above!

Pre-order ‘Join the Club’ here.

Listen to ‘Little By Little’ on our Spotify Hot List!

ANGER PARTY debut ‘Save Myself’

ANGER PARTY – ‘Save Myself’

‘Discover’ New Music Podcast alumni ANGER PARTY shared their latest new single this week.

Bringing this section of our News Report to a close is, ‘Save Myself’, which you can check out above!

“No matter how many times our intuition tells us to leave, no matter how much ourindiscretion speaks for itself, sometimes we’re inexplicably drawn to people that never fail todisappoint and betray us. ‘Save Myself’ tells a story of inner turmoil, treading the fine linebetween yearning for somebody that will never earn our affections, and having the selfrespect to realize that we’re better off alone.” – Guitar / Vocals – Owen Claxton.

More here.

Watch Episode 42 of our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast with guests ANGER PARTY

‘Discover’ New Music Podcast – Episode 42 – ANGER PARTY

Listen to ‘Save Myself’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

As always we conclude our News Report with the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist!

News Report
Fixation – ‘Flat Earth’

Norwegians Fixation share new single, ‘Flat Earth’.

The band states, “Flat Earth is a track that delves into the minds of people who persuade themselves into believing conspiracy theories. People that are so centered around their own perception of the truth that they refuse to see it any other way. The lyrics sums it up: «Even if they see it, they probably won’t believe it.”

Kings County – ‘Holding On’

US band Kings County share new single, ‘Holding On’.

Singer Rob Dexter says, “’Holding On” was the song we needed to write. After our last release in 2022, we were constantly performing live for months and knew we had to get back to writing or we would become complacent. You are as good as your last song and “Holding On” was a pivotal moment for us. We needed to raise the bar and that’s exactly what we did with “Holding On”.”

News Report
News Report
MartinĂ© – ‘Oxytocin’

Copenhagen’s MartinĂ© shares debut single, ‘Oxytocin’.

“My inspiration for this song was the very powerful hormone Oxytocin, which is also released when falling in love or by physical touch. The lyrics reflect how to embrace the power of one’s femininity and learn how to use that to set boundaries. It is definitely a song about being in control and not getting blinded by Oxytocin” – MartinĂ©

Listen, Follow and Discover your new favourite act now with our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist

Then find out the stories behind the songs on our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast!

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Read our review of ‘DARKFIGHTER’ from Rival Sons

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Every week we roundup the best music news from the past week!

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News Report

Greta Van Fleet unveil ‘Meeting the Master’

Greta Van Fleet – ‘Meeting the Master’

Welcome everyone to another edition of our weekly music News Report!

We start this week with the return of Greta Van Fleet, who have shared new single ‘Meeting the Master’, which you can check out above.

The track will feature on their newly announced upcoming album, ‘Starcatcher’, which will be released July 21st.

On the single, the band notes, â€œâ€˜Meeting The Master’ peers into an esoteric world heeded by the word of a wise teacher. Sung in the voice of a devout believer, and eventual group exclamation, the song details the love these fervent followers have for their teacher and their firm belief in his vision. It’s an exotic spiritual journey. A dark comedy that inevitably ends in chaos.”

With regards to the album, “We didn’t really have to force or be intense about writing, because everything that happened was very instinctual,” Jake says. â€œIf anything, the record is our perspective, and sums up where we are as a group and individually as musicians.”

Throughout the ten-song collection the band explores the duality of fantasy versus reality and the contrast between light and darkness. â€œWe had this idea that we wanted to tell these stories to build a universe,” says Wagner. â€œWe wanted to introduce characters and motifs and these ideas that would come about here and there throughout our careers through this world.”

The band took multiple concepts from critically acclaimed second album The Battle at Garden’s Gate and brought them into Starcatcher, although Sam’s take on the new record’s big ideas hint instead at new beginnings. â€œWhen I imagine the world of Starcatcher, I think of the cosmos,” he says. â€œIt makes me ask a lot of questions, like ‘Where did we come from?’ or ‘What are we doing here?’ But it’s also questions like, ‘What is this consciousness that we have, and where did it come from?’”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Meeting the Master’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist

Peter Gabriel reveals new single ‘i/o’

Peter Gabriel – ‘i/o’

This week also saw Peter Gabriel share the latest taste of new album, ‘i/o’, with the release of the title-track.

Speaking about the new track, Gabriel says:

“This month the song is “i/o” and “i/o” means input / output. You see it on the back of a lot of electrical equipment and it just triggered some ideas about the stuff we put in and pull out of ourselves, in physical and non-physical ways. That was the starting point of this idea and then trying to talk about the interconnectedness of everything. The older I get, I probably don’t get any smarter, but I have learned a few things and it makes a lot of sense to me that we are not these independent islands that we like to think we are, that we are part of a whole. If we can see ourselves as better connected, still messed up individuals, but as part of a whole, then maybe there’s something to learn?”

‘i/o’ as a potential album title has long-been known within fan circles, and is now the name of the current project, the album and the forthcoming tour, but as Gabriel says, “It’s been around for a long time as a title for this project. I always knew I was going to write a song called “i/o”, but the title came first.”

Order your copy here.

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Therapy? share ‘Poundland of Hope and Glory’

Therapy? – ‘Poundland of Hope and Glory’

Therapy? continue to build to the release of new album, ‘Hard Cold Fire’ on May 5th. This week saw the band share new single, ‘Poundland of Hope and Glory’, which you can check out above.

The band say, “This track started out as a hard take on how people lose themselves in narratives to the point that the myth takes on greater importance than the fact. Just like the old adage about the liar repeating the lie so much that they eventually believe it themselves, the culture around us is bursting with fairy stories we tell ourselves.”

Pre-order your copy here.

Listen to ‘Poundland of Hope and Glory’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

Holding Absence debut ‘A Crooked Melody’

Holding Absence – ‘A Crooked Melody’

There was also new music to savour this week from Holding Absence as they debuted their latest single, ‘A Crooked Melody’, which you can check out above.

More here.

Listen to ‘A Crooked Melody’ on our ‘Hard & Heavy’ Playlist!

Like Moths To Flames debut ‘Predestination Paradox’

Like Moths To Flames – ‘Predestination Paradox’

Like Moths To Flames have released their first new music in two years with return single ‘Predestination Paradox’, which you can check out above.

“I think there are a lot of things that we all commit to, where we know how it will end,” says LMTF’s Chris Roetter. “This song is meant to portray the experience of learning that almost everything has an inevitable expiration date. We never know how much time we are offered or how much time is left, yet we still immerse ourselves in these deep relationships.”

More here.

Check out our two Podcasts

News Report

2000trees announce Soft Play as their final headliner!

We move our News Report on now to the best festival announcements from the past week and up first is 2000trees.

This week saw a wave of additions to the line-up including headliners Soft Play making their live return. Also added to the line-up were Dinosaur Pile-Up, Hell Is For Heroes, Gaffa Tape Sandy, Haggard Cat and more.

They join the likes of Bullet For My Valentine, Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes, Bob Vylan, Holding Absence, Deaf Havana, Hundred Reasons, Skindred and many more.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Bullet For My Valentine live in Cambridge

Arctangent reveals Devin Townsend as final headliner

The final headliner was also revealed this week for Arctangent Festival with Devin Townsend set to close the event this year.

Townsend joins a line-up including Converge, Empire State Bastard, Pigs x7, Sikth, Loathe, Rolo Tomassi and loads more.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Hundred Reasons live in London

Y Not Festival reveals second line-up wave

The second wave of acts for Y Not Festival were revealed this week including Sea Girls, The Pigeon Detectives, Yonaka, Cassyette, Gengahr, Feet, Peaness, The Hara, DEADLETTER, Daisy Brain and more.

They join a bill featuring the likes of Royal Blood, Kasabian, Paul Weller, The Wombats, James, DMA’s, The Charlatans, KT Tunstall, The Murder Capital, Kid Kapichi, Beans On Toast and many more.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Beans On Toast live in Norwich

News Report

Royal Blood announce intimate warm-up shows

Our News Report looks now at the best live announcements of the past week and we kick off with Royal Blood who have revealed two intimate warm-up shows in amongst their packed summer.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Royal Blood live in London

Waterparks announce UK Tour

Waterparks are on their way back to the UK later this year for a UK Tour with support from Stand Atlantic.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of Fall Out Boy live in London

Wheatus announce lengthy UK Tour

Wheatus have announced an extensive trek around the UK for September/October this year.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of ‘A Fistful of Peaches’ from Black Honey

Vintage Trouble reveal UK Tour dates

Our final piece of live news comes from Vintage Trouble who will be touring the UK and EU this summer.

Tickets are here.

Read our review of YUNGBLUD live in London

News Report

As always we conclude our News Report with the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist!

News Report
LUCKY THIEF – ‘Silencer’

Bristol-based rock multi-instrumentalist Lucky Thief shares his new single, ‘Silencer’.

Speaking about the inspiration behind the single, Lucky Thief explains, “Silencer is about being unable to control how we speak. So many people have opinions that are narrow minded, selfish and ill-considered; This song airs my frustration with them. It also looks at how hard it is for me to stay quiet, if I feel something deserves to be said, I will not be silenced.”

Harker – ‘Wasting Time’

Brighton, UK punk rock powerhouse Harker have released a new single titled ‘Wasting Time’.

The band comment, “‘Wasting Time’ is about the breakdown of communication in modern life – it’s easy to misunderstand and mislead when you only talk through a digital screen. Talk to your loved ones in person, debate face to face, and know when to set your boundaries if it’s not working. ‘Wasting Time’ is a back to basics, 4 chord postpunk pop ruckus track – heavy hooks and fuzzed out guitar walls, just how we like it.”

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News Report
Cape Crush – ‘Sandwich Wars’

Cape Crush, hailing from Massachusetts, have unveiled their new single, ‘Sandwich Wars’.

Vocalist Ali Lipman, says “‘Sandwich Wars” is an emo pop anthem I wrote about not apologizing for yourself. I wrote it from the point of view of giving advice to a younger version of yourself. It was inspired by the advice of my former roommate Chelsea who left earth too soon about not being so quick to blame yourself. Our house was called Club Sammich, which is where the Sandwich Wars title comes from. It’s got some personal imagery in, but hopefully it conveys that your mistakes don’t define the person you become. I think Sandwich Wars is the band’s favorite song on the EP. This came together as a full band song with James really driving home the riffs and all those little musical moments that keep you listening (like the car crash), Jake’s bass and backing vocals in the last chorus, and Cody’s energetic beats. We love playing this one and we hope people enjoy listening!”

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